Future focus

• By Hu Fleming
• Jun 01, 2000

Government, business and academic leaders from around the world will assemble to discuss the latest trends, technologies and opportunities in air and waste management at the Air and Waste Management Association 's (A&WMA) 93rd annual conference, Celebrating our sustainable future. Crossing over into the new century presents difficult challenges for all aspects of environmental health and safety (EH&S), and this year's conference fittingly takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah, the crossroads of the west. A&WMA's five-day conference will bring together more than 5,000 environmental professionals to the Salt Palace Convention Center June 18-22. Along with the more than 300 exhibitors expected at this year's showcase, EH&S professionals will have an opportunity to learn about the latest technologies, solutions and services from experts worldwide. Expanded technical sessions, an international forum on urban infrastructure, a new technology theater and a higher education research and development pavilion are just a few of the events highlighting this year's show. "This is a diverse event with excellent programs and tours for anyone involved professionally or personally in environmental issues. We consider it the premier environmental networking and solutions experience. It is valuable for industrial facility and site managers, corporate EH&S directors, urban planning experts, non-profit and government agency officials, scientists and technicians and academia," said A&WMA Membership and Marketing Director Joe Marzano. The 2000 conference features sessions with four world-class environmental experts. Maurice F. Strong, undersecretary general and senior advisor to the secretary general of the United Nations, will deliver the keynote address forecasting the challenges and opportunities of the next millennium. Panel discussions will cover the topics of air quality implementation issues, State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA) and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO) and waste regulatory implementation. John S. Seitz, director of the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, William S. Becker, executive director of STAPPA and ALAPCO and Michael Shapiro, principal deputy assistant administrator of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response will be addressing these issues, respectively. In its second year, the International Urban Environmental Infrastructure Forum will focus on mobile source related air quality problems and land use planning. The forum will bring together more than 200 delegates from more than 50 cities worldwide to promote the exchange of information among urban stakeholders. The forum will consist of three components, a one-day urban case study, a two-day panel and roundtable discussion and a transportation technology showcase. Technical programs A variety of technical program tracks are available where attendees can share in the latest cutting-edge developments. Fourteen separate tracks are available, including basic sciences (track AB); measurement (AM); emissions control (AE); optical sensing (AO); area and mobile sources (AS); toxic air pollutants (AT); environmental effects (EE); industrial processes (EI); pollution prevention and sustainable developments (ES); management and remediation of hazardous, radioactive and mixed waste (WR); municipal and medical waste (WM); program administration (EP); environmental education (EDC) and environmental commerce council (ECC). In addition, a one-day track, sponsored by the National Association of Environmental Management, will allow environmental managers the opportunity to discuss real-world solutions to issues such as safety and compliance performance measurements, public education and communication and implementation of environmental management systems. Networking opportunities With more than 300 booths at this year's exhibition, environmental professionals will have an opportunity to network with people from around the globe. The exhibition will feature the International Innovative Environmental Technology Pavilion showcasing certified, verified and pre-commercialized new products and technologies. Private sector firms, government agencies and non-profit organizations will be promoting alternative fuel technologies and vehicles at the transportation showcase. In addition, exhibitors may take advantage of 15-minute presentation windows to introduce their product or services at the New Product Technology Theater. Finally, information on new programs and courses and upcoming research from undergraduate and graduate programs from universities will be presented at the Higher Education Research and Development Pavilion. Technical tours will be available for conference attendees starting Monday (June 19). The first tour will take place at the Geneva Steel Co. with a cost of $25. The Hill Air Force base tour will be Tuesday, with the $40 price including a box lunch. Wednesday features two tours, with the first tour traveling to the Kennecott Utah Copper mine ($45 includes box lunch). The Phillips 66 Co. Woods Cross Refinery will be the site of the second tour ($25). The tours wind down Thursday with a trip to the Thiokol Propulsion-A Cordant Technologies business tour. The $40 fee also includes a box lunch. No recording devices or cameras will be allowed on any of the tours due to company security issues. A variety of social tours and activities will take place throughout the week. Dynamic Salt Lake City will play host to many of the activities, allowing conference attendees the opportunity to experience first-hand the history and culture of this pioneer city. All tours will have limited seating and only full-meeting registrants may participate. For more information check out the A&WMA Web site at www.awma.org. Additional conference information as well as conference and hotel registration options may be obtained at (412) 232-3444 or (800) 270-3444. Click here to read about featured A&WMA exhibited products
.

This article originally appeared in the 06/01/2000 issue of Environmental Protection.